Just about all cars come with a
radio built-in as standard, our bodies come with psychic intuition built-in as
standard, but like the car radio, it's up to us whether we switch them on or
not! To get the best from our car radio, we may need to tune into the various
stations, to get the best from our psychic gift we may also need to 'tune'
into the signals that are around us. If we keep with this analogy we could
also say that some cars come with a higher quality radio receiver, as some
people come with a stronger psychic reception. But you can upgrade the radio
just as you can improve your psychic awareness.

I hope that answers the common
question;- ' Am I psychic? ' - Because you are! So how do
we switch it on and begin? If you are reading this then you have already begun! The first step to waking up
your psychic faculty is to admit to yourself that you have one. It takes a while for the
subconscious to be able to communicate with the conscious mind and the best way to do this is
to simply start thinking about it. For example you could say to yourself "I am
psychic" on a daily basis. Try, if possible to discuss it with whoever is willing,
all these thoughts have a positive effect on developing your gift. You should also try to
read about the subject, again this helps to wake things up. Knowledge will help, as you
need some understanding of how things work. Adopt the policy you would take with any new
hobby, become involved in it, buy books and magazines, look for more information on the
internet. Become familiar with the various approaches and opinions and start to develop
your own ideas. Deal directly with what appeals to you, what your logic finds reasonable.
Disregard what you find difficult to accept, you can always return to it at a later time.

If possible
attend psychic workshops, these are usually one-off seminars on a particular
aspect of metaphysical studies. Look for group training, some mediums offer
courses for a limited number of people at a very reasonable cost. Spiritualist
churches often have training circles or something similar so make
enquiries.

Use your
gift! Even if you are unsure about whether
it's working or not. Don't get upset if you get things wrong, keep going. You
will find that in time progression comes, naturally. So decide what you want,
and what methods you are going to use. Don't rely too much on divination cards
(like Tarot) at first. I say this because you need to be able to sense the
answers and problems yourself, with your psychic gift, not by just what is in
front of you. This will make it harder but ultimately more fulfilling
and you will become a better psychic long term.

You might have noticed that many
psychics who advertise list a number of skills, typically these might include
Tarot, Crystal balls, Palmistry, Psychometry etc. All of these things are
focus tools. They represent something physical and tangible with which to work
and can be a great help. Psychics talk
about 'tuning in' to their clients or the spirit world, and these objects
help to focus their thoughts. So regardless of what it is, Tarot cards or
crystal balls, we have something to concentrate on. Working with psychic
intuition or talking to spirit means working with energy and thought, not
matter, so these things act as a bridge or stepping stone to that realm. Your mind will have
become used to receiving information with your usual senses and it will take time for it
to accept this transition, so make use of these tools.

Let's
choose Psychometry for an example of working with
focus tools and apply our psychic intuition. While holding an object belonging to someone,
start to relax, slow down, close your eyes and let the
object 'connect' with you. Feel it's texture and shape, let the object become
imprinted in your mind. 'Communicate' with the object, remember it is linked
to the owner.

Imagine information entering
through your fingertips, going up your arm and finally entering your thoughts.
It's a constant stream of energy of which you will see just parts, flashes of
scenes, fleeting memories or feelings. Mention them all, say what you see. To
begin with, all we want is to be able to recognise information that can be
validated by the person who owns the object. It's OK to be wrong,
it helps you to understand the difference. Be relaxed, try to 'slow down' and
this energy will be easier to recognise. Imagine your heart slowing, think of
yourself existing in a different frequency, you are changing your perception to
become aware of information that is always there, but now you can sense it.
You are stepping from this ordinary world into something that communicates in
a completely different way, a better, more direct and personal way. Your whole
body can listen, you leave your normal senses behind, you 'feel' the
information, it becomes part of you, and the physical mind is just the
interpreter. Mention what you visualise or feel and see what you get right,
you may be surprised!

Make use of
these 'tools', but let them enhance your own ability, not replace it. If you
are drawn to card reading, let the cards guide you towards the answers, and then let
your natural psychic intuition 'feel' the rest.

I remember
in my early days of psychic readings, performing psychometry for a friend. She
casually asked if I could still pick up things without holding an object. At
the time I honestly didn't know, so there and then I agreed to give it a try.
It worked! I was able to tell her about a place where she used to live in
another country, even describing the house she lived in. Proving that
focus tools are not necessary,
but do help while we learn.

Psychic intuition can happen at
any time, in any place and for any reason. That also seems to be it's problem
as far as beginners are concerned! Often saying they cannot get their gift to
work when they want it too. This is in fact very common, but should be
seen as positive. After all you have experienced it! You just need to gain
control.

Practice? That dreaded
word which can bring back thoughts of piano lessons and times tables is just as important
in the world of the psychic. Its all about getting used to information coming to you from
a different source, the more you practice the easier it becomes. So, what can you do? Try
pausing before you do something. For example, when the phone rings pause a few seconds
before answering, can you tell who it is? Try it when someone knocks at your front
door. Try it at work, can you tell when someone is happy, sad or pre-occupied with
other things on their mind? Try to become universally aware, let your mind and
body become an antenna to psychic information that flows through and about
you.

Often when you
begin, the pictures you will see are
often very trivial. Try to find someone who can be
patient and understanding and who will allow you to practice on. Take your time, its no use in trying to force the information
to come through. Above all accept the fact that you are going to be wrong from time
to time, the human mind has a habit of filling in the blanks when psychic intuition is not
forthcoming. Also, perhaps a little confusingly, some of the information that may come
through can have no bearing at the time, but only come to light a few days later.

One important thing, if
you do see a picture or get a feeling about something - pursue it. It's amazing how many
people become satisfied with just a little bit of information when there is usually more
to be had. But
it is possible to pursue these images, ask with your mind to know more about what you are
seeing. It's great when you get it right! But more difficult is working out why you got
it right, try to remember what it felt like as the vision came into your mind, and try to
recapture the feeling next time.

When I use Psychometry,
I close my eyes for a while, relax as if I am taking a step back from the world, and
create a space for the pictures to arrive. You must find a technique that works for you.
You are looking for brief pictures, that seem to arrive all by themselves. Things that you
were not thinking about, if you manage to get this far, you are making good progress.
If appropriate you will get a negative or positive feeling about what you have
seen or felt. This is how psychics work. These positive / negative feelings are used to
tell a client about which way they should go in a situation. Alternatively you may just
get more information about an event, if you do, tell the person you are with. But please do
not try to be a counselor
until you are ready, remember you are dealing with peoples
emotions.

Developing psychic gifts is a
little like learning to play a musical instrument, we start slowly and
practice regularly. Funnily enough mediums are referred to as instruments of
spirit.

Recognising
Psychic Information

This
section applies to both Psychic & Mediumship development and concerns our
expectations of such phenomena. At it's best, psychic intuition, - the actual
receiving of psychic information, can be so certain and defined that it leaves
you in no doubt whatsoever
that you are correct. You just know, you become so certain within, it fills
your entire being. It's the same with spirit communication, the connection can
be so solid and
strong that you understand so much more of the message being given. When you
get communication of that quality it is so uplifting, so rewarding that it can
move you to tears. You've
joined a bigger universe, you are part of some wonderfully structured existence,
and our spirit friends seem so close that we could shake their hands.

But it's
not always like
that, in fact for most mediums, most psychics, we have to work hard for
whatever information we can sense. But,
and this is important, any successful contact from spirit is something to
treasure. Any successful and beneficial psychic intuition is a gift. Be
grateful that if you can connect, for just a moment, with God's universe of
spirit, just how wonderful that is. Consider the wonder, the crossing of
worlds, the intention of both parties. There is balance to find here, we
strive to be as good as we can but we may not always
be presented with the information.

My point is
spirit don't always communicate in such non-mistakable
ways, but often guide and advise in more subtle ways. If your intention
is to make better contact with your relatives and friends in spirit, then do
not expect discarnate voices hanging in the air, but rather a thought, a
memory, a scent, something that just seems to arrive out of the blue. If you wish to follow
the advice of your guide, then listen to your inner self, listen to your
conscience. Ask questions and look for answers around you, in the things you
do, the things you see.

Psychic
information can be just as subtle, often we do not need the finest detail,
just a connection to something recognisable. If we are reading for
someone, they will know what we are referring to, we may not need to fully explain
every impression, indeed sometimes it may be embarrassing for the client for us to do
so.

So aspire to be better, work at
your craft to better understand the information that comes to you. But attain
balance, take your time and be grateful for any successes.

Some of the people who
have written to me have told me how they they predicted a plane crash, a car accident or
some other major event. This sometimes causes great concern, understandably because these
are often things we are unable to change. You cant just walk into the airport and say 'one
of your planes is going crash'. Chances are they will think you are a little disturbed. So
why then do we have these big premonitions? Often our psychic sense has been giving us
little reminders that it is there, small insignificant things, however we brush these off
as being merely coincidence. So in an effort to get our attention, we see something
larger, something more dramatic, this is our psychic awareness waking up and shouting
"Look, I'm here! Take notice". It often works too! When people do write to me
about these premonitions they are in fact starting the discovery of their own psychic
gift. So, when you finally acknowledge that the gift is there, you will find the big
events start to disappear, allowing you to concentrate on developing your skill in a more
humble fashion.

Psychic intuition is a
thought based talent, it can feel like you are remembering an experience that was not
yours. Often what comes into your mind is a picture, much like a photograph. These
`photos` can be black & white, colour, still or moving like a short movie. But there
are also feelings to be picked up. This may not happen so quickly as the
`photos` as this
is a deeper form of psychic awareness, but they may be a lot more important.

Predictions
should account for roughly one third of a reading, although there are always
exceptions and different needs. But ideally time should be taken to prove your
talent by demonstrating
your knowledge of someone's past and present. This can do a lot to
help them believe
you and put them in a better state of reception. It could be for example, that
a deep set problem in the past is revealed to you, you should confirm this.
Next try to sense how this affects the person now, again confirm. Finally
advice can be given for the future using the positive / negative method
mentioned earlier.

Final Points

The role of a
psychic or medium often goes beyond just giving messages or making predications. They need
compassion and good communication skills to act upon the information received. Please
remember you are dealing with peoples emotions, as such the medium may need experience in
presenting this information. For this reason, please do not expect to be able to give
readings immediately, you may also fail more than you succeed, and end up spoiling your
chances of respect and believability.

Just about every psychic there
is, has at one time or another, asked the question "Am I imaging all of
this??" It goes with the territory. It's easier to live in what we call
the ' real ' world, relying on our senses of sight and touch. We forget there
is a 6th sense, just as real as those others. It takes time, you keep going
until at some point the math's say this is no longer a coincidence. Then you
start learning a bit more, you get more confused, but I guarantee there will
be some things that you do, feel or just be a part of that will touch you so
deeply that you will keep going.

Of note here is another
aspect of both psychic and medium development. Its all to easy to become a little proud of
yourself and think you are `special`. Let me tell you now, this is a road to disaster
and failure! Remember there are a lot of people the world over who do predications and
have psychic abilities, you are just someone who has now woken those skills up. This
thought will serve you well, be humble and have respect for those you are able to read for
and you will develop.

One last time, please
adopt a policy of respect, you hold within you a special gift and great responsibility
goes with it. People you read for will have come to you from many different backgrounds
and beliefs, they may come in fear, sorrow and with little understanding. You job is to
inspire them and make them feel worthwhile, while being honest in conveying what you pick
up. Take your time to explain things they may not understand, but don't rattle on beyond
what they are ready to hear. Don't preach, people will be coming for advice or
to contact a loved one, not to hear a sermon. These skills will come to you, but it is good to think on
them from the outset.

The
Learning Plateau

The word
'plateau' means;- A relatively stable
level, period, or state. A level of attainment or achievement or an area of level land or rock. The term 'Learning Plateau' was first
given to me when I was in my first development circle. I think the expression
fits quite well as this helps to explain a phase many developing psychics go
through..

As you
learn to awaken your gift you may find things gallop along at a wonderful
pace, the more you try the more things are given to you. Most people just go
with the flow when this occurs. But there may come a time when your intuition
seems to be turned off! You turn up at your development circle and wonder why
nothing happens. You can't sense anything at all, it seems like all your
guides have suddenly left you. You might feel alone, cut-off and like a
stranger. This is the 'Learning Plateau', a time when you need to absorb what
you have learnt, a time to reflect and ground yourself. A time when spirit
helpers step back and let you catch up. It's a strange feeling, but it will
pass, so seek comfort from those around you, they may have already been
through it. But do tell them, especially if you are in a development group, it
helps keep the balance of energy if you let them know what's going on. It should
only last a few weeks and when you return you will be ready to move on to the
next stage. Use this time to take a break, try not to bury yourself in psychic
study but instead just be yourself, enjoy the beauty around
you. Be prepared for this to happen a few times, it's necessary
part of your growth.

Developing
Mediumship

I sometimes get asked how people can
develop their own mediumship skills, while the process is not difficult, what is important
is your intent, your sensitivity and respect for others. You must also decide why
you wish to develop this technique? Decide if you are doing this to help
others or just to contact a family member or someone close. Learning to
recognise the subtle presence of our spirit friends around us and the gentle
guidance they impart, is different to working as medium for others.

Most people train in a development
circle, or with a teacher and this is something I strongly recommend. Without
someone to guide you, you may not know how to separate
the imagination from actual spirit. A group meeting often means more than one
person is able to sense the same spirit person, this is comforting and ensures
you are progressing correctly. A good place to start would be your local spiritualist church,
as many groups start from there. However you may have to be invited or have to wait for a
suitable opening. But there are also 'Workshops' appearing with more
regularity now, and these will help you learn from someone experienced. If you
look hard enough, there is usually something in your own area where you can
go.

I would advise anyone seeking to
develop mediumship to first awaken their psychic skills, then read about other mediums,
learn how they get their information. Give yourself an idea of what to expect, what is
possible, what could be fantasy. Build a firm base onto which you can expand, be patient
but explorative. Be aware of your dreams, what they tell you, be guided by them. Although
you can develop the skills on your own, try to find someone who can study with you.

Meditation

A lot of people misunderstand
this. First and foremost most people think that you must clear your mind -
WRONG! You cant! It's not possible. Our brains or minds are far to complex for
that, what we can do is alter the level of our awareness. 2nd point, we cannot
shut out background noise, in many ways it would be dangerous to do so. So
quietly play some soothing new age type music to help you relax. Even if you
can hear traffic or people just keep going. Now there are two ways you can
proceed, either imagine a place that you feel happy in, like a beautiful
garden with flowers etc. Or, for now just let your own thoughts go by and be
aware of them, but not judgmental of them, just let thoughts go through you as
if you were just a viewer, an invited one person audience. With either of
these two techniques you may find your thoughts drifting in all directions,
while it isn't wrong it's good to learn some control. So gently without
getting annoyed adjust your thinking back to where you want to be, and if your
thoughts start to drift again, then once more gently steer them back on track.
It's important to try and remain passive, if you get annoyed STOP! Try again
later. Things improve at the proper pace, images get clearer, they stay in
sight longer, you can follow them and get more. But it takes time and
practice, just like anything worthwhile!

Contacting your spirit guide

Our expectations of how spirit contact
us can often be too high, spirit existence can best be described as thought energy. So it
makes sense for them to contact us through our own thoughts, but how do you tell the
difference? The thoughts will sound like your own, but they may also be of better clarity,
more structured and eloquent in delivery.

If you can still your mind, as with
meditation for example, you may be able to detect these thoughts better. Ask questions,
but don't ask for predictions for your own life, and see what thoughts come to you.

We also have to be patient
sometimes, a lesson in itself. Spirit will be working with you, but on their
understanding not yours. They often wait for us to remove doubts, blockages
and other distractions that may undermine the very work they strive to
teach.

If, through your meditation and
perception, you sense or see someone in the distance, this is often a new
guide waiting to join you, waiting for you to be ready. This could be a guide
who will stay with you for the next 40 years, one who through your mediumship
will teach not only you, but many people through you. A guide who has waited
for you since you were first born. How wonderful that is. Would you wait and
be patient for such a guide? I am not saying that is the case, just an example
of how to alter your thoughts, expectations and how to have patience. All
things happen in their own time.

If you believe
there are limits, you will work within them.

If you
believe there are no limits then you may go beyond the generally accepted methods of
communication.

- Robin Stevens

If you are looking for places
where you can go to learn psychic skills, mediumship or healing you may find the following
of interest as they offer a variety of courses on these subjects.

If you live in the UK you
may find the following college of use. They run a selection of courses helping to explain
& teach many of the topics found on this website. Contact them and ask for a
programme.